WIP Wednesday

Hello knitters.

Wow, we are back in full swing with a new semester. I teach at The University of Wisconsin-Madison in the spring semester on top of my normal job. I always forget how busy the spring semester becomes no matter how much I try to prepare. To be completely honest, the stress of this semester and the overwhelming schedule is going to be a true test of my abilities.

Knitting, reading and just being are the best outlets for this semester. I am doing well with staying on task and finishing my WIPS. My son was sick on Friday and came home  to snuggle. I had a pair of socks for him on needles that were almost done. I finished them up and he was able to rest with a nice warm pair of hand knit socks. 

 The pattern is Helix however, I modified it for a children's size. I cast on 48 stitches using size 2 needles. 

We have started a new tradition in our family. Every night my son gets to bed 30 minutes earlier and we read a chapter or two from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I love this time with my family. We are almost done with the book and decided to move on to the Chronicles of Narnia. As for my own reading, I just finished the first novel in the Shadow Hunter Series, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. It was a quick and enjoyable read. I will check out the second novel. Not sure if I will finish the series, may become too predictable and silly. We will see. Happy Wednesday Knitters.

Getting organized with my WIPS

Hello knitters.

Happy Wednesday! I am trying to be a good girl and stay on task! I want to finish so many WIPS before I cast anything on. Oh its hard! All I want to do is start a new project. Gah! Currently, I am working on finishing my quick sliver project. I love the yarn and the colors. I cannot wait to wear it this winter. Only 3 sections left! 

 Currently I am reading City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. It is a good book for a quick read. I think I will try to read the whole series, The Mortal Instruments. Overall, it is an easy read which is perfect right now. After the move and all the changes in life, I am try to get back into my old habits. It is hard to restart a new routine in a new location and it is taking time. I spent this past week running different routes to get back into the groove of exercising. This winter break I also took time to start reading again and I found a comfy spot in the house that works perfect. Now, I just need to fit in some knitting time.

WIP Wednesday

Hello Knitters.

Whew. Christmas flew by. We had an awesome holiday. N spent a ton of time playing with his cousins, hanging out with grandma and grandpa, seeing his aunt and uncle. Just getting in a lot of quality time with family. Pure bliss. Of course, he was spoiled by santa. He is on cloud 9 with all of his new toys and games. We played Candy Land yesterday with his cousins and today I think we will have a couple of games of Old Maid and Chutes n Ladders. 

I am still working on my WIPS. I finished a pair of socks for my mom. She does not have a single hand knit item from me and this needed to be fixed. The color changes in these socks are my favorite. The bright oranges to the sharp teals makes my heart sing.

 Today I will finish up my Opal socks. I am so excited to wear these adorable socks. I love how Opal Yarn stripes. This is my first pair and I am thrilled to get more Opal yarn (after some more WIPS are done!)

My flowers bloomed on Christmas. What a small and awesome surprise. Made my day. I cannot wait to see what is on everyone's needles. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and here is to a great 2016. Cheers.

Yep. I am still alive & knitting

Hello world! I am back. It has been forever, FOREVER since I last blogged. I miss blogging but things have been a whirlwind here. Now, they are clamming down and I can finally catch up! 

What's going on... well, we pick up our son everyday from school, after work. We drove past a very cute house for sale. Everyday. Finally my husband and I thought, well it does not hurt to ask and look. We went and looked at the house and lets just say the instant we walked it we knew it was NOT for us. However, it got us think... why do we still rent after 5 years. We found a Realtor and started looking. In two weeks we had an accepted offer and were moving in 30 days. WOW, that was a lot to take in. We were excited, worried, over-whelmed... pretty much feeling every emotion possible. We moved October 29th and had our duplex up for rent. It rented yesterday. Now, I feel like I can breathe. Just take a step back and enjoy the life changes. My son loves his room. We are lucky and now have a fenced in backyard for the dogs to run. It is just now sinking in that we have a home. 

On to knitting. After packing up ALL my knitting projects and yarn, I realized I could knit for the next 10 years without buying a thing. Recently, I became good friends with a coworker. She is awesome. She asked for a knitted cowl for the cold winter days (ironically the lack of) in WI. I was very excited to make her something. I started the Devonshire cream cowl and I love it. I hope she does too.

Since the weather was not creating the Christmas spirit, I decided to make holiday stitch markers.

It is the little things that can make a big difference. Tis the season.

Yarn Along

Well this will be a super quick update...

I have been working on the baby blankets for my 4 friends expecting. Here is the latest update:

This is the Chevron Baby Blanket pattern knitted with Dishie yarn from Knit Picks. I LOVE how the chevrons are turning out.
Still reading Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I cannot wait to see what everyone else has for updates! We are off to Oktoberfest this weekend. EiEiEi O! Happy Wednesday.

Linking up with Ginny.

WIP Wednesday

Hello Knitters!

This family is back at a normal routine. Up early, N gets on the bus and we go to work. While I miss summer already, it is nice to get into a routine. My knitting has been taking off lately. I cannot resist starting new projects. I guess this means I will have enough WIPS for every Wednesday post! Yep, that is a good way to justify my casting on addiction.

I received this beautiful skein of ToshSock in Ginger colorway from my birthday. I could not stand to just look at it anymore so I cast on the Monkey pattern and these socks are just flying off my needles. I cannot wait until they are finished.

I am being a good girl as well and working on the baby blanket. I have completed 8 repeats. I think I will try for 10 and finish the border. I love the leaves pattern!

 I cannot wait to see what is on everyone's needles. Linking up with Ginny today.

WIP Wednesday

The big day has come and passed. N is now a kindergarten kid and I am trying to adjust to our new schedule. He gets on the bus, all smiles and my husband and I head to work. The new routine. We go to bed early, get up early and just try to figure out the rest in between as we go.

I have 4 friends expecting and that means 4 baby blankets in queue. I started the Leafy Baby Blanket by Leyla Alieva. I love LOVE love it. It is coming along nicely. 

 

I used KnitPicks Dishy yarn. I love making blankets out of cotton for their easy care. This yarn feels great and has wonderful colors. I will do another baby blanket in the same pattern and yarn. With 2 down. I need to pick 2 more and get the yarn! 

I have been reading here and there. Whenever I can fit in a free 5 minutes. I just finished Dan Brown Digital Fortress and I am not working on his Lost Symbols. I would like to read the Divergent Series once I am finished. I have an itch to read the Harry Potter Books but after watching the movies and have never been able to keep my attention for very long with those books. 

I cannot wait to see what is on everyone's needles! Happy Wednesday!